Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring broadcast programs from the beginning of the programs is provided. The system includes a tuner configured to receive and decode broadcast signals and provide programming as an output. The system also includes a buffer coupled to the tuner that stores programming from the tuner and provides buffered programming as an output delayed in time from the programming provided by the tuner. The system further includes processing circuitry coupled to the tuner and buffer that determines if the tuner is selected as a source for programming, and if a program is in progress when the tuner is selected. The processing circuitry provides the tuner programming as an output of the system if a program is not in progress when the tuner is selected, and provides the buffered programming as an output of the system if a program is in progress when the tuner is selected.

Abstract: A ground station multiplexes audio digital data of a plurality of audio broadcasts, GUI data, and download audio data and transmits the multiplexed signal to a receiving side through a satellite. The receiving side displays a GUI screen corresponding to an audio broadcast. When a music information selection command is input on the display screen, an audio broadcast of a music program corresponding to the music information is selected. When a music information download command is input on the display screen, download audio data corresponding to the music information is output. The download audio data is stored to a storage device so as to download audio data corresponding to a desired music title.

Abstract: A handheld audio system includes a radio signal decoder integrated circuit (IC) and a digital audio processing integrated circuit. The radio signal decoder integrated circuit produces a digital left channel signal and a digital right channel signal from a received radio signal in accordance with an enable signal and also produces a system clock. The digital audio processing integrated circuit includes a DC-to-DC converter and a processing module. The DC-to-DC converter is operably coupled to produce at least one power supply voltage based on the system clock. The processing module is operably coupled to produce the enable signal when the at least one power supply voltage has reached a desired level and to produce audio signals for audio playback from at least one of the digital left and right channel signals and a stored digital audio file.

Abstract: A recording control device records a program to be reserved for recording on the basis of reservation information including recording start time information indicating a time, at which recording starts, and recording end time information indicating a time, at which recording ends. The recording control device includes a setting unit that, when it is judged that the program is not recorded after recording is reserved, sets the same time as the time, indicated by the recording start time information, at which recording starts, in the recording end time information of the reservation information for recording the program; and a recording control unit that, when the time, indicated by the recording start time information, at which recording starts, is the same as the time, indicated by the recording end time information, at which recording ends, controls recording of the program such that recording of the program is suppressed.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an additional audio content at the input of the car radio (or other radio receiver) by tracking the available channels. The invention provides an invasive and non-invasive way of adding dominant audio content source to the existing car audio systems.

Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains two sets of compressed digital audio data corresponding to two audio programs. The receiver also contains two decompressors. If a user selects a first audio program, a first compressor is used to decompress a first set of compressed digital audio data. If a user selects a second audio program, a second decompressor is used to decompress a second set of compressed digital audio data. The wireless radio frequency signal can be transmitted using a transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for receiving broadcast information using a zip code for automatically setting broadcast frequency based on the zip code. The apparatus for receiving broadcast information using a zip code comprises: an input unit that inputs reservation codes and zip codes to store broadcast information; a controller that controls to store reservation information on the broadcast information in a storage unit, based on the reservation codes from the input unit and a stored broadcast schedule, updates the reservation information based on the zip codes from the input unit, and stores the broadcast information corresponding to the reservation information; and a recording/reproducing unit that stores the broadcast information in the storage unit according to the control of the controller.

Abstract: An in-vehicle entertainment method includes playing through an in-vehicle audio component a received program content broadcast from a remote location; and receiving, during the playing of the received program content, a user input selecting an identifier. The selected identifier is associated with an electronic device remote from the vehicle. The method further includes transmitting, from the vehicle to the electronic device during the playing of the received program content, an alert identifying the received program content, a channel from which the received program content is playing, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An RF transmitter (104) includes a shared local oscillator circuit (126), transmit path circuitry (120, 122, 124), a divider (134), and a lowpass filter (322). The shared local oscillator circuit (126) generates a shared LO signal (116). The transmit path circuitry (120, 122, 124) mixes a baseband signal (107) and an IF mixing signal (116) to provide an IF signal (112), and converts the IF signal (112) to an RF transmit signal (105) at a desired frequency using an RF mixing signal received at a mixing input thereof. The divider (134) divides the shared LO signal (116) to provide an unfiltered RF mixing signal. The lowpass filter (322) has an input for receiving the unfiltered RF mixing signal, and an output coupled to the mixing input of the transmit path circuitry (120, 122, 124) for providing the RF mixing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prevents interference between a radio signal from RDS-TMC service provider for receiving traffic and travel data by an RDS-TMC receiver and a radio signal for transmitting audio, text, or image data from an FM modulator. The method includes the steps of starting an operation of the receiver system, stopping an operation of the FM modulator while keeping operation of the RDS-TMC receiver, examining whether an RDS-TMC signal from a service provider is available at a current location, receiving the RDS-TMC signal and retrieving RDS-TMC data therefrom, sending the retrieved RDS-TMC data to an audio/video system, and starting the operation of the FM modulator while allowing to output an FM signal from the FM modulator at allowable frequency bands which are outside of a blocked range to send data to the audio/video system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing recommended radio stations to a user. In particular, an electronic device can compare media from a locally stored or accessed media library with media items provided as part of radio streams received by the device. The electronic device can identify the radio streams having the most media items overlapping with the local library, and recommend those streams as being most likely to be of interest to the user. The electronic device can further access a remote database of a large number of users' libraries, and receive recommendations based on the media items common to the user's library, other users' libraries, and radio broadcasts. This approach allows the electronic device to provide recommendations without requiring any monitoring of the user's listening habits or receiving preference information from the user.

Abstract: A customer relationship management (CRM) method using IBOC-radio signals is provided. A message in the radio signal is parsed to obtain a key. The key is compared to a plurality of stored keys. When the received key matches a stored key, a data structure associated with the message is outputted. A device comprising a lookup table with a plurality of stored keys, a tuner unit that receives a CRM in an IBOC signal, and a controller in electrical communication with the lookup table and tuner is provided. The controller comprises (i) instructions for comparing a key in the CRM to one or more stored keys in the plurality of stored keys and (ii) instructions for permitting the display of a display text associated with the received key when there is a match between the received key and a key in the plurality of stored keys.

Abstract: A portable content-playing device which automatically constructs a virtual channel of content consistent with the tastes of the user of the device, where the content originates from one or more satellites. The portable device contains software for computing similarity values between a local taste profile (representative of the tastes of the user of the device) and taste profiles downloaded from one or more of the satellites, and this information is used in choosing the content of the virtual channel.

Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains at least three sets of compressed digital audio data each corresponding to an audio program. At least two of the three sets of compressed digital audio data are stored in storage. Each of the stored sets of compressed digital data is associated with a set of index data. The receiver contains an output device allowing a user to perceive the sets of index data. The receiver also contains a digital to analog converter. If a user selects one of the sets of compressed digital audio data, the selected compressed digital audio data is decompressed and converted to analog audio data.

Abstract: A broadcast response system provides, e.g., a radio broadcast listener with the ability to obtain media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using, e.g., the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by broadcast response server.

Abstract: Disclosed is a channel estimator and a method for changing a coefficient of an IIR filter depending on a moving speed of a mobile communication terminal. In the channel estimator, a coefficient changing unit receives I and Q signals from a current base station, and selects a coefficient of the IIR filter optimized depending on the moving speed of the current mobile communication terminal. The coefficient changing unit sets the selected coefficient of the IIR filter to the IIR filter of the channel estimator. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the performance degradation of the channel estimator caused by the speed of the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: According to a user's recording instruction, a navigation apparatus acquires reception data (music information and identification information) from a satellite digital radio apparatus on a tune basis and records the data on a hard disk. After the recording is complete, the navigation apparatus uses a size of the reception data recorded on the hard disk to determine whether or not the recording is interrupted in the middle of a tune. When the recording is interrupted, the navigation apparatus registers the tune's identification information to an interrupted recording list. The navigation apparatus then acquires identification information about a tune being received from the satellite digital radio apparatus. When the interrupted recording list registers the identification information, that is, the recording-interrupted music is rebroadcast, the navigation apparatus acquires reception data from the satellite digital radio apparatus and re-records it on the hard disk.

Abstract: A waste management system and method of registering and deleting application waste is provided. The waste management system comprises a waste registration module for registering application waste and a waste deletion module for deleting the registered waste based upon the deletion priority. The waste registration module includes a deletion priority unit for assigning deletion priority to registered waste. The method comprises the steps of registering application waste, assigning deletion priority to registered waste, and deleting the registered waste based upon the deletion priority.

Abstract: A method for tuning to a radio broadcast frequency in a portable terminal is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; computing tuning information using received signal strength indication (RSSI) values of signals received by frequencies if a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; and tuning to a radio broadcast frequency corresponding to a radio broadcasting requested by a user, using the computed tuning information, and receiving radio broadcast signals. The tuning information includes: a threshold of RSSI serving as a reference value determine the presence of a radio broadcasting channel; and a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) value to minimize noise levels.

Abstract: An alarm clock device includes a monitor for monitoring a transmission of a selected station, a detector for detecting, in the transmission of the selected station, at least one milestone. A controller operating in response to detection of the milestone is provided to store, in a memory, data of the transmission after the milestone was detected, and to initiate playing of the data at a selected wakeup time. According to the present invention, the data is recorded in response to detecting a transmission of a selected station selected from a plurality of stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cloning contents of a source radio (104) into a target radio (106) are disclosed. The method (300) includes determining (302) a configurable flash-code (210) of the source radio. The configurable flash-code (210) is configured from a first purchase flash-code that represents a first set of features employed by a user associated with the source radio. The method then includes receiving (304) a second purchase flash-code (212) from the target radio. The second purchase flash-code (212) represents a second set of features purchased in the target radio. The method further includes determining (306) whether the first set of features associated with the configurable flash-code (210) is at least a subset of the second set of features associated with the second purchase flash-code (212).

Abstract: A system and method for presenting content related to a radio broadcast are provided. The system may include a radio device having a receiver configured to receive a radio signal including an audio component and digitally encoded data associated with the audio component. The radio device may further include a decoder configured to decode the digitally encoded data from the radio signal. The radio device may further include a processor configured to receive the digitally encoded data from the decoder, extract a data parameter from the digitally encoded data, send a search query including the data parameter to a content service, and receive from the content service metadata associated with the data parameter. The system may further include a display configured to display the metadata received from the content service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for dynamic radio station tuning in a data processing system. A play list is identified. The play list is a user-defined list and includes an identification of a number of songs. Music information is obtained from a plurality of radio stations. This music information is compared to the play list to generate a schedule. Dynamic tuning to a radio station within the plurality of radio stations is performed using the schedule to present songs from the number of songs to a listener.

Abstract: A method and mobile terminal for searching for alternative frequencies is provided for facilitating alternative frequency search. The mobile terminal having an alternative frequency search function includes a control unit having a radio data decoder for decoding radio data containing a program identifier and for differentiating the radio data by type, a radio data filter for extracting the program identifier from the radio data and for comparing the extracted program identifier with a previously stored program identifier, and a radio data updater for updating an alternative frequency list in response to an instruction of the radio data filter, and a storage unit for storing the alternative frequency list and the differentiated radio data.

Abstract: A keyfob is provided for use in a vehicle having a processor. The keyfob comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and control circuitry disposed within the housing and coupled to the battery. A memory coupled to the control circuitry is disposed within the housing and is configured to store data files therein accessible by the processor.

Abstract: A skip function for a broadcast or multicast media station is disclosed. In one embodiment, two content streams are simultaneously transmitted for a single radio station. A receiving device simultaneously receives the two content streams transmitted for the radio station. The receiving device provides playback of a first content stream of the two content streams. During playback of the first content stream, the receiving device buffers one or more most recently received content items from the second content stream. When a user of the receiving device initiates a skip, the receiving device performs a skip function by switching playback from the first content stream to the second content stream beginning at the start of the one or more most recently received content items from the second content stream that have been buffered at the receiving device.

Abstract: A receiving circuit is provided with an amplifier circuit for amplifying the electric signal received by an antenna circuit, a frequency converter/detector circuit for converting a frequency of the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit to acquire an intermediate frequency signal, and for detecting the intermediate frequency signal to acquire a demodulated signal, and a filter circuit for removing an intermediate frequency component from the demodulated signal acquired by the frequency converter/detector circuit.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for identifying radio stations along a travel route broadcasting programs in user-specified radio program formats without requiring positioning devices that provide real-time positioning information of a radio receiver. An exemplary method includes determining a travel route based on specified starting and ending location information. The method includes identifying, from a plurality of radio stations, any radio stations along the determined travel route that broadcast radio program formats corresponding to at least one specified radio program format. The identifying includes analyzing predetermined radio station information compiled for the plurality of radio stations. The method includes outputting the identified radio stations to accompany the determined travel route as text-formatted travel directions comprising a plurality of text segments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for a protected paging indication mechanism within wireless networks including multiple access points. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: If a sub broadcast is unavailable so a reception means receives the main broadcast instead of the sub broadcast, reception of the sub broadcast is booked. When the sub broadcast is booked and the sub broadcast becomes available, the reception means automatically receives the sub broadcast booked instead of the main broadcast. Accordingly, reception of the sub broadcast can start automatically when the sub broadcast starts, without inputting instructions to select the sub broadcast repeatedly, whereby operation performed by a user can be simplified.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for allowing a user using a communications device to interact with first media material that is broadcast on a first broadcast channel by a first broadcast media source and second media material that is broadcast on a second broadcast channel by a second broadcast media source, the first media material and the second media material include a first media item and a second media item, respectively, the first media item and the second media item are associated with a first representation of the first media item and a representation of the second media item, respectively, that are received and presented by a broadcast reception device while the broadcast reception device is tuned to a third broadcast channel. The method includes maintaining in a temporary storage an item identifier, the item identifier identifies one of a first media item-related information and a second media item-related information.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for permitting a data terminal to connect to a broadcast station web site and to receive a broadcast station broadcast in response to selection of a bookmark. Selection of the bookmark results in a tuner on the data terminal being tuned to receive a broadcast while the data terminal substantially simultaneously connects to a web site for the broadcast station. Broadcast frequency information and web site address information for the bookmark may be stored on the data terminal, or such information may be stored remotely, such as on a station id server in communication with the data terminal. The bookmark may be programmed by the user and may represent different broadcast stations according to parameters.

Abstract: A radio record module includes a radio data system (RDS) decoder module, that decodes a received RDS signal, that has an associated audio signal, into received RDS data. A record module produces a digital data file from the digital audio signal in response to a record signal. A catalog generation module generates catalog data associated with the digital audio file, the catalog data including an RDS parameter of the received RDS data. A memory module stores the digital audio file and the catalog data.

Abstract: A sound system with a radio receiver having the ability to automatically tune to a new radio station if (a) the current radio station is broadcasting a song, program or other content that the user dislikes and/or (b) one of one or more predetermined radio stations is broadcasting content that the listener likes. In one embodiment, the sound system includes a tuner for tuning to a frequency of a radio station and for converting a radio signal transmitted by the radio station to an audio signal; a memory unit for storing a first set of templates, wherein the first set of templates correspond to a to a set of songs, programs, commercials, or other content disliked by the user of the sound system; and a recognition processor, coupled to the tuner and to the memory unit, for receiving the audio signal, generating templates from the audio signal, and comparing the generated templates to at least one of the templates within the first set of templates.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method in which a set of broadcast channels is automatically selected on a mobile receiver based on the mobile receiver's current location, a database of broadcast sources contained within the mobile receiver, and a predefined set of user preferences. This location based selection of broadcast channels may be implemented by first querying a user for personal preferences. These user preferences, along with a database of broadcast sources and program formats, are then loaded into the mobile receiver. The mobile receiver includes a means for determining the current location of the receiver, as the receiver moves from location to location. After the location of the receiver is determined, the database of broadcast sources and program formats are searched in order to determine broadcast sources that can be received by the receiver in its current location.

Abstract: A method for transmitting encoded traffic messages via a data channel, which is reserved for transmitting encrypted traffic messages, a certain subset of traffic messages being in general transmitted via the data channel in unencrypted form. For the encryption of the traffic messages, in each case only one of at least two components of the traffic message being encrypted. The unencrypted component containing information, or information is assigned to the unencrypted component as to whether the first component of the traffic message is encrypted, traffic message transmitter and receiver. Particularly important traffic messages may be transmitted via encrypted channels in a manner that also allows receivers that are not designed to decrypt encrypted messages to output these traffic messages or to process them further in other ways.

Abstract: A radio record module includes a radio data system (RDS) decoder module that decodes a received RDS signal, that has an associated audio signal, into received RDS data. A memory module stores a record request, the record request having an RDS parameter. A comparison module compares the received RDS data to the RDS parameter of the record request and asserts a record signal when the received RDS data compares favorably to the RDS parameter. A recording module records the associated audio signal in response to the record signal being asserted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for a paging mechanism within wireless networks including multiple access points. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A sound system with a radio receiver having the ability to automatically tune to a new radio station if (a) the current radio station is broadcasting a song, program or other content that the user dislikes and/or (b) one of one or more predetermined radio stations is broadcasting content that the listener likes. In one embodiment, the sound system includes a tuner for tuning to a frequency of a radio station and for converting a radio signal transmitted by the radio station to an audio signal; a memory unit for storing a first set of templates, wherein the first set of templates correspond to a to a set of songs, programs, commercials, or other content disliked by the user of the sound system; and a recognition processor, coupled to the tuner and to the memory unit, for receiving the audio signal, generating templates from the audio signal, and comparing the generated templates to at least one of the templates within the first set of templates.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system capable of being remotely customized from a remote secondary device. The system includes a controller disposed within the system that is capable of receiving user input through an internet connection. A display is in communication with the controller and capable of implementing the received user input to customize the system.

Abstract: A radio receiver includes a voice-only detection mechanism that detects when the current radio station is transmitting mostly voice, and that changes the function of the receiver depending on whether or not the current radio station is transmitting mostly voice. In a first embodiment, the radio receiver mutes its audio output when the voice-only detection mechanism detects a voice broadcast, or mutes its audio output when the voice-only detection mechanism detects a music broadcast. In a second embodiment, the radio receiver changes to a different radio station when a voice-only signal is detected, or when a music signal is detected. The second embodiment preferably includes a spectrum analyzer that can store a frequency spectrum “signature” of a radio signal, and a second tuner that scans the available radio stations for a signal that matches the stored signature.

Abstract: A portable mobile communications device for controlling the destination of mobile TV programs broadcast by a mobile TV service provider includes a mobile TV device, a processor running a mobile TV redirect application communicable with the mobile TV service provider, and a user interface for controlling the mobile TV device and the mobile TV redirect application such that mobile TV broadcast programs can be simultaneously redirected to an external device in response to input received by the user interface and sent to the mobile TV service provider. The external device can include a home media server or a computer coupled to and communicable with the mobile TV service provider via the Internet.

Abstract: A determining unit determines a state where a new electronic mail cannot be captured unless protection of an existing electronic mail is released, when the new electronic mail is received, or an inquiry is made to a mail server. The state where a new electronic mail cannot be captured unless protection of an existing electronic mail is released is, for example, is a state where a received electronic mail box is full, and all of existing electronic mails are set to be protected, or the like. A guidance unit makes to a user a notification that the protection must be released, if the determining unit determines the state where a new electronic mail cannot be captured unless the protection of an existing electronic mail is released.

Abstract: Methods for removing complexity from a Bluetooth processor's firmware and placing them in hardware in order to use a simplier processor or to do other tasks in the Bluetooth processor. Assembling and managing communication packets and transmission, providing modulo divides, and allocating memory are typical firmware tasks for a Bluetooth device. By creating circuits that assemble and manage communications packets and transmits, provide modulo divides, and manage Bluetooth device memory a processing burden can be removed from the Bluetooth processor. This lessened processing requirement allows less expensive, e.g. slower, processors to be used, or other functions to be incorporated into the processor's firmware.

Abstract: The invention relates to an RDS radio unit implementing a user friendly algorithm for automatic frequency change without inconveniencing the user with interruptions. A timer is used to delay the start of searches for a better frequency. The RDS radio unit comprises: a radio tuner (2) tunable to radio frequencies; a control unit (3) capable of controlling the radio tuner and monitoring received signal strength on a frequency to which the radio tuner is tuned, a memory (4) for receiving and storing a list of alternative frequencies; a timer (5) capable of timing a number of operations. The control unit is adapted to perform a search for a better channel frequency than an original frequency with a program matching the original frequency only when a first time T1 has elapsed, since the occurrence of an alternative frequency update request or a detection of received signal strength below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A host system for transmitting radio data system (RDS) data includes a host processor and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive RDS data from the host processor. The data processor is further configured to convert the RDS data into RDS group type data or to store the RDS data. The data processor is further configured to transmit the RDS data to one or more devices outside the host system. The data processor is configured to store the RDS data if the RDS data comprises a plurality of raw RDS group data. A method is also provided for transmitting RDS data from a host system.

Abstract: A host system for processing radio data system (RDS) data includes a host processor. The host system further includes a data processor configured to receive the RDS data, configured to filter the RDS data to allow the host processor to receive a selected set of the RDS data, and configured to reduce the number of interrupts to the host processor. A method is also provided for processing RDS data within a host system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs. An input device allows the user to add and/or delete songs from this preferred playlist. In an exemplary embodiment, songs playing on several radio stations are monitored and when a song from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station other than the station to which the user is currently tuned, an audio and/or visual signal is provided to alert the user, and the user may change stations manually or tune to the new station automatically.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing text information which identifies audio program selections, such as musical selections, stored on a compact disk (CD). Digital identification numbers encoded on the disk are provided by a compact disk player to a digital processor having a memory storage device. The identification numbers include an album identification number, and the track number selected for play. The memory storage device has stored therein text data identifying a plurality of program selections, organized by album and track identification number. The identification signals provided by the CD player are used to address the proper identifying text data for the selection being played. The identifying text data may be organized for radio broadcast along with the musical selection, and a receiver is used to display the data in text form to identify the musical selection as it is being reproduced.